Client Health

Use Cuticle Removers With Care

What do chemical cuticle removers have in common with drain cleaners? Both are highly alkaline substances that can be quite destructive if not used with care. Cuticle removers have a pH of 11 or higher, says Doug Schoon, chief scientific adviser for CND. These alkaline formulations quickly break down protein — which is what cuticle is made of. “It’s highly aggressive. The entire cell falls apart and dissolves,” explain Schoon.

Cuticle remover should be applied carefully and rinsed off thoroughly. If the remover isn’t careful rinsed away, it could weaken the nail plate. Not removing it completely will also cause lifting. “If the skin feels slippery, that means you haven’t gotten it all off,” says Schoon.

The most important thing is not to get cuticle remover in the eye, where it is potentially extremely damaging. Schoon recommends wearing safety glasses, especially when working with a formulation that can splash.